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SPB brings pay-TV to v3.0

SPB Software, the quiet success story of the mobile TV market, today outlined a strategy to break more markets through the addition of pay-TV content to its platform.

The Russian headquartered firm has ramped up the quality of its SPB TV software to improve picture quality and expand beyond the free-to-air TV content that has seen it garner four million subscribers to date in at least five major global markets.

Vassili Philippov, chief operating officer, explained to TelecomsEurope.net that v3.0 of the software addresses one of the main limitations of previous releases, by opening the door to pay-TV subscribers.

“Some countries have lots of free-to-air [channels], but in some the majority is pay-TV. [That] limited our content in some countries.”

The updated software also adds more options for subscribers to pay for content, including an app store-style set up that gives a single price for selected channels, basic bundles, or free channels only.

Exact pricing is still being worked out, but Philippov said a typical monthly package in Russia costs between $4 (€2.95) and $7 per month, while in the US a figure of around $10 is acceptable.

With rapid growth in its user base, SPB is already catching the eye of “a lot of TV channels,” the COO said. “There’s no work for them. We take the cost and add a user base for them to target.”

TV companies are doubtless also attracted by the software firm’s ad revenue model, which sees it offer media firms a straight 70:30 revenue split or a share of ad impressions.

Mobile adverts are displayed in a three to seven second window while content is buffered.

Philippov revealed five more carriers are due to launch services in March, adding to current big-name deals with telcos including O2, T-Mobile, China Telecom, NTT DoCoMo and MegaFon.